GENERIC NAME: NABILONE - ORAL (NAB-ih-lone)

USES: This medication is used to relieve severe nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. It is used when other drugs to control nausea and vomiting have not been successful. Nabilone is a man-made drug similar to the natural substances found in marijuana. It is believed to work by decreasing the signals in the brain that lead to nausea and vomiting.

HOW TO USE: This drug is taken by mouth, usually twice a day or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your response to treatment. The first dose may be taken the night before the chemotherapy treatment. On the day you receive chemotherapy, you should take nabilone 1-3 hours before chemotherapy begins. If required, this drug can be continued until 48 hours after the cancer drug treatment.Use this medication regularly throughout your treatment cycle to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. This medication should not be taken on an "as needed" basis.This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as irritability, trouble sleeping, sweating, and diarrhea) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. In studies, when nabilone was used for only 5 days for the prevention of nausea and vomiting, this type of withdrawal reaction was not seen. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.Rarely, abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction) is possible with this medication. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.Tell your doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve.